It is true that ever since 9/11 secuirty has been stepped up dramatically in the United States and it very well does affect our privacy. However, i feel this method is neccessary as there is a real threat out there. Yes there is a privacy issue which makes us all feel like a suspect but until we can find a better way or prove that this system does not keep our citizens safe, I feel that this is necessary.
I joined the Marine Corps post 9/11 and i have been deployed to a combat zone in Iraq where i have seen my fellow Marines killed in action because of this threat. I am thankful enough to have returned home safetly but for those who are still out fighting the good fight, lets start by keeping our country safe and not have to prolong this already long war and bring our troops home.
First off, Thank you for serving our country!
Second, security has stepped up dramatically in the U.S after 9/11, for example in airports. We have groaned and rolled our eyes, but complied and accepted the process. If what the government is doing is for security, why not just ask us to comply? Because conflict of human rights and privacy issues will arise, which is why our first soldiers have fought for.
Thank you for the service, George. Often times, I feel as though we do not say it enough (given that our army does not draft) as well as do enough to help the troops who come back to home.
It seems to me that there is a trade-off between privacy and security involved given the real threat; and, that reasonable compromises should be made to protect the citizenry. However, what is reasonable is what people expend a lot of energy debating about in the policy circles. More importantly, we need to ensure that the government has proper oversight and does the job competently (especially if the trade-off is erosion of privacy). Have a look at this interesting post by James Fallows at the Atlantic a few years ago:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/05/if-the-tsa-were-running-new-york/39839/